Midland’s Don Evans to join Texas Business Hall of Fame

By Cale Ottens | cottens@mrt.com

Published 12:08 pm, Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Photo: Tim Fischer

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(File Photo) Don Evans, former Secretary of the US Department of Commerce, speaks Thursday at the Midland Chamber of Commerce 2012 State of the Economy luncheon. Photo by Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

(File Photo) Don Evans, former Secretary of the US Department of Commerce, speaks Thursday at the Midland Chamber of Commerce 2012 State of the Economy luncheon. Photo by Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer

Midland’s Don Evans to join Texas Business Hall of Fame

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Don Evans, a long-time Midland businessman and former Commerce secretary, was selected this week to join the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Evans and five other business leaders will be inducted at the 33rd annual induction dinner on Nov. 5 in Dallas, according to the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

More than 165 “business legends” have already been honored by the group, which chooses its inductees based on contributions to their field and respective communities, the organization said in a press release.

Evans, a University of Texas graduate, first moved to Midland in 1975 and started his career by working on an oil rig for Tom Brown Inc. He moved his way up to becoming the company’s chief executive a decade later, according to the release.

Former President George W. Bush later appointed Evans to serve on his cabinet as secretary of the Commerce Department. Before that, Evans was chairman of the board of regents of the University of Texas system from 1997 until 2001.

“Don has all the qualities we look for in a Hall of Fame inductee,” TBHF Chairman Jordan Cowman said in a written statement. “He has an entrepreneurial spirit and is a true business and community leader. He has set the bar for emerging leaders.

Evans lives in Midland and is the chairman of Energy Future Holdings.

“It’s a great privilege to be included in this year’s Texas Business Hall of Fame inductees,” Evans said in a written statement. “I’m proud to represent Midland, and I am thankful for all those who have supported me throughout my career.”